THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NY & NJ

Press Release Article

PORT AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES PROGRESS IN IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND SERVICE RELIABILITY IN PORT OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY

Date: Mar 21, 2014Press Release Number: 62-2014

The Port of New York and New Jersey has made significant improvements in moving cargo on and off port terminals since the beginning of this year when snow and historic low temperatures forced terminals to suspend operations, resulting in cargo backups.

The improvements result from efforts by terminal operators, the trucking community and the Port Performance Task Force, a recently formed group examining broad long-term recommendations and the extraordinary congestion and delays that occurred throughout the harsh winter, which is now improving with the start of spring. The task force also took a look at more immediate issues facing the port.

At the peak of portwide congestion in February, the average number of gate moves per week for all terminals was 36,400. That number rose to 51,763 in subsequent weeks, and in the past two weeks, the average increased to more than 60,000 cargo moves.

Dwell time (the average time cargo loads stay at the port), which averages 4.2 days, peaked at 8.1 days in January and is beginning to moderate with an average of 6 days in the past two weeks while inventory levels are returning to normal.

The recent improvements in port productivity result from several steps, including:

The hiring of 150 longshoremen and 75 checkers. To date, 125 longshoremen and 5 checkers have been certified for the job. A total of 271 individuals were pre-qualified and will be added to the workforce in accordance with previous agreements. The Waterfront Commission also has agreed to the certification of 20 mechanics immediately with more to follow.

About 2,000 new chassis were brought into the region from other ports to deal with an equipment shortage here. Over the past two weeks, the number of chassis that have been out of service were reduced by more than 30 percent. Efforts are underway to repair out of service units.

Port Authority Traffic Engineering opened an additional lane of traffic serving APM Terminals and synchronized the traffic signals to ensure a smoother flow of traffic.

"The Port Authority remains committed to identifying practical solutions to the problems facing the port," said Port Authority Port Commerce Director Richard Larrabee. "To ensure that we boost productivity, we took immediate steps, including hiring additional longshoremen, importing new chassis and continuing to work with the Port Performance Task Force on long-term issues to continue the port's competitive position."

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey urges drivers to check on both chassis and container availability before dispatching to the port, to ensure that all charges have been paid, releases are in place, confirm on export receiving and cut off times by checking the terminal websites.

Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency's network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than $23 billion in annual wages and $80 billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where construction crews are building the iconic One World Trade Center, which is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. The Port Authority receives no tax revenue from either the State of New York or New Jersey or from the City of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information, please visit http://www.panynj.gov.